13. Theo
Theo had never felt so helpless.
Well, not since he was in high school, and some ignorant kids had made fun of him for bringing kimbap for his lunch. He had loved his mother’s cooking, and he loved Korean food, but back then, it wasn’t a well-known cuisine, and some of his classmates would say his lunchbox smelled weird, or they would call the kimbap sushi even though he’d tried to explain the difference.
And that was just the start. As his tormentors became more emboldened, they’d graduated to harsher and harsher comments, and even physical violence.
But this was a different kind of anguish.
How could Sarah have a stalker? And one she couldn’t even point out in a police line-up?
It frustrated him that she insisted on keeping so many things secret. Although, maybe it would be an advantage if whoever was watching her didn’t realise she had someone looking out for her.
He wished he knew someone in the police force. He wondered if his mother knew anyone. She seemed to have connections to everyone in town these days.
Alexis might know someone too.
Wait. Valentina. As one of the city’s most reputable lawyers, she’d almost certainly know someone. He hadn’t spoken to her in a long time, but hopefully she’d take his call.
He called her personal number and waited. Would she even answer? He’d always thought they’d broken up because she didn’t take him seriously, but Alexis had said she’d thought he’d been insecure about her financial status. That kind of thing didn’t bother him at all, but he must have said or done something to give Valentina that impression.
The other end picked up. ‘I didn’t expect to ever hear from you again.’
Theo smiled. ‘Straight to the point as always.’
‘How have you been?’
‘Good. You?’
‘Fabulous. What can I do for you?’
‘Again, straight to the point. That’s what I used to like about you.’
‘You’re not going to ask me out again, are you? Just because?—’
‘Sorry, no.’ Theo cut her off before it turned awkward. ‘I want to use you for your connections.’
She mock-sighed. ‘Doesn’t everyone?’
‘Do you know any detectives?’
‘You mean private ones?’
‘No, I mean in the police force.’
‘Why? What have you gotten yourself into?’
‘Not me. A friend. With a stalker.’
‘Oh, nasty. Yes, I know a couple of detectives. The most sympathetic would probably be Mila McCubbing. You want me to text her details?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘I’ll get my assistant to do it once I’ve hung up. Anything else?’
‘Are you really doing okay?’ Theo hated to feel like he was actually using her. While he was no longer romantically interested in the woman, he did like her as a person.
‘I’m doing fine, Theo. We don’t have to play games. You know me.’
‘I do. Or at least, I thought I did. I talked to Alexis recently, and?—’
‘I may have put all the blame for our breakup on you when speaking to her, but I know I was partially to blame too.’
‘Ah.’
‘We just weren’t meant to be. Are you seeing anyone these days?’
‘Not exactly.’ Jeez, it was already getting difficult to hide his relationship status.
‘I’m sure that won’t last long, if that’s what you’re after. Congratulations on the influencer thing too.’
‘Thanks. It’s not really a big deal.’
Theo thought he’d enjoy the added status, but it didn’t make that much difference to his day-to-day existence.
‘I’ve got another call coming through, so I’m going to have to go,’ Valentina said. ‘But thanks for calling. I’ll get Mila’s details to you ASAP.’
‘Thanks.’
She hung up without saying goodbye. Typical Valentina.
But it sounded like this Mila might be helpful. Even if he couldn’t do anything concrete, he’d be useful for practical information.
Theo was currently sitting near the front window of a café that looked across the street to Sarah’s salon. He’d see if anyone suspicious went inside, but then, any man between the ages of fifteen and eighty could be suspicious.
He wondered if he should hire someone to sit here when he wasn’t able to.
His phone beeped. Valentina’s assistant worked fast. Theo called Mila’s number, but it went to a receptionist who informed him he was out investigating a case—so he told her he’d try again another time.
Theo rubbed his eyes. He was lucky he didn’t have a typical nine-to-five job. His manager, Dan, would be in contact with him later, but he’d kept the day free for apartment hunting. He’d stay here and watch the salon until Sarah’s lunch break.
He couldn’t bear the idea of anyone hurting that woman.
It was a strange feeling, being so protective of someone.
He didn’t think he’d ever felt this way ever.
Was this what people called love?
At twenty to twelve,Alexis walked through the door of the café. She immediately saw Theo and joined him at his table, opening a small paper bag and showing him the contents.
‘Why am I doing your errands for you?’ she asked, smiling.
Theo nodded at the pre-paid SIM card. ‘Because I had to stay here and keep watch.’
Alexis glanced across the street. ‘That’s not creepy at all. Why are you stalking my bestie?’
‘I’m not the one doing the stalking.’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘What does that mean?’
‘So, I was going to let Alexis tell you herself, but I worry she’ll downplay the seriousness of the situation.’
‘You’re scaring me, Theo.’
‘We don’t need to be scared. Just vigilant.’
He explained the situation to Alexis, whose expression became more and more appalled as he spoke.
‘I can’t believe she didn’t tell me!’
‘She didn’t want to bother you when you were going through all that stuff with your dad.’
‘But she should have! And how do you know? I didn’t think you two were even that close.’
‘I found out by accident,’ Theo fibbed. Damn. Why hadn’t he thought through an excuse to justify his knowledge of the situation?
‘When did you find this out?’
‘Just today. I… I was going for a jog, and I ran into her as she was arriving at the salon. She asked me to hold her phone and coffee while she opened the door, and a message came through on the phone. I saw it by chance.’
Phew.Was that believable?
‘Poor Sarah. So, what? Have you been watching her all morning from here?’
‘Sort of. But I’m just a concerned human being. Anyone would do the same.’
‘Does Sarah know you secretly like her?’ Alexis asked slyly.
‘What? I don’t like her. What nonsense are you talking?’
She gave him a knowing smile. ‘Okay. I won’t say anything. I’m happy to plead ignorance.’
Theo almost laughed. That actually made things easier for him.
‘Whatever you need to do.’
‘So, this SIM card…’
‘Oh, yeah. It’s a replacement since the stalker somehow discovered her other number.’
‘I had wondered why she suddenly changed numbers last year. I told her no one does that anymore because it’s so easy to get it transferred to a new SIM, but she said something about getting too many marketing calls, so she wanted to start afresh.’
‘Well, now that you know what’s happening, keep an eye on her when you can.’
‘Of course. I do have a pretty busy schedule at work right now, but I’ll see what I can do on lunch breaks. And I can probably check in on her in the mornings and afternoons.’
‘I’ll do the same, although maybe not as obviously.’
‘Ooh… you really do like her. I’m so pleased. I’d hoped you’d get along on that trip to Byron, but then you guys were acting so weird, and then you went overseas…’
‘Let’s not talk about that right now. Why don’t you get Sarah and bring her to my car? I brought the SUV today, and I’m just parked nearby, so I’ll drive around the front.’
‘Okay. Yes. See you in a minute.’
Alexis left the café, and Theo let out a breath. He really wished Sarah wouldn’t make things so complicated. Telling her bestie they were dating would be so much easier.
Hopefully she would change her mind soon.
Because he wanted to show the world the woman he was starting to fall for.